Rent Matewan (1987)

3.9 of 5 from 117 ratings
2h 7min
Rent Matewan Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
Written and Directed by John Sayles this 1920's set drama based on real events, details the brutal battle between miners, strikebreakers and a corrupt coal mining company in a tense and emotional story of small-town poverty, bitterness and exploitation. When union man Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper) arrives in the backwater town of Matewan, West Virginia to organise a workforce to stand up against the Stone Mountain Coal company, he finds that instead of the men presenting a united force against their real enemy, they are embroiled in disputes between themselves as tensions rise between white miners and black workers.
Despite all good intentions, the situation spirals out of all control and a bloody fight for livelihoods and dignity ensues.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Michael B. Preston, , Jenni Cline
Directors:
Producers:
Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi
Voiced By:
J.K. Kent Lilly
Writers:
John Sayles
Others:
Haskell Wexler
Studio:
Second Sight Films Ltd.
Genres:
Drama
Collections:
Films & TV by topic, Memory Lane: Films Set in 1920s, Remembering James Earl Jones
BBFC:
Release Date:
02/04/2001
Run Time:
127 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
BBFC:
Release Date:
04/04/2022
Run Time:
133 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Company Man: Remembering Matewan - An Interview with Actor Kevin Tighe
  • Union Dues: Producing Matewan - An Interview with Producer Maggie Renzi
  • Gathering Storm: Composing Matewan - An Interview with Composer Mason Daring
  • Fire in the Hole: Designing Matewan - An Interview with Nora Chavooshian
  • Theatrical Trailer

More like Matewan

Found in these customers lists

308 films by del
634 films by pete-1

Reviews (3) of Matewan

A story that needs telling - Matewan review by TE

Spoiler Alert
12/11/2021

The comments by a previous reviewer about the colour quality of this dvd are spot on. Even so, the washed out colours cannot detract from the power and the purpose of this very fine movie. John Sayles is at his best here, and there is a string of superb performances from the whole cast, led by Chris Cooper, Mary McDonnell, James Earl Jones and a magnetic David Strathairn.

The events depicted are a true history of the Matewan Massacre, part of an episode in America's violent past that needs to be better known. In the first decades of the twentieth century, employers and state authorities routinely hired armed thugs to break strikes and to stop the formation of trade unions. Matewan was the site of one particularly bloody campaign. It marked a temporary victory for the mining families, but the aftermath was further vicious repression.

The narrative is backed up by an excellent soundtrack of stark mountain music.

One point of extra interest is the sight of Will Oldham, later the musician and singer Bonnie Prince Billy, playing a righteously angry teenage preacher and union activist.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Excellent Historical Drama - Matewan review by GI

Spoiler Alert
04/01/2023

Inspired by real events this is a powerful socialist drama with a western feel to the style and look. It boasts the screen debut of Chris Cooper who here plays Joe, a union man sent to the small West Virginia town of Matewan to pull the exploited mineworkers together into a cohesive force to challenge the greed of the mining company. They in turn bring in a bunch of gunmen given pseudo legality to suppress the miners by violence if necessary. It's a classic tale of the repressed against the establishment and here it's richly filmed with a real sense of authenticity for the time and the plight of the miners. When the company attempt to replace the workers with black and Italian miners there's the ever present of racism endemic in the southern USA. The fact that Joe unites all the workers despite the cultural bigotry lends the film a heroic narrative edge and the entire drama culminates in a famous gun battle. It's a brilliantly told story and the cast are impeccable throughout with James Earl Jones, David Strathairn and Mary McDonnell supporting. The soft, almost hazy photography lends the film a sense of realism supported by the bluegrass soundtrack and the spot on accents. This is a film of betrayal, conspiracy and the strength of the underdog. It's a real treat and well worth checking out if you've never seen it.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Beware the dvd - Matewan review by PW

Spoiler Alert
03/03/2021

Great film but the quality of this dvd is utter trash. The print is beat up, blown out whites and soft as hell. I recommend if you have real interest in seeing this, and you should, get hold of the criterion release on blu ray.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Unlimited films sent to your door, starting at £15.99 a month.